"...God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth..."  --Genesis 27:28  KJV

Chicory Revisited

While taking a walk with 'Sally' the other day, I took my camera along just in case. I took pictures of some dried flowers in the morning sun, and since I had already taken some of chicory days earlier and because the wind was blowing intermittently, I almost dismissed chicory as a subject. I'm so glad I didn't, because this is one of the best shots I've ever taken. Although it looks similar to an HDR, it isn't. The lighting, settings, and timing were just perfect despite the breeze.  I love my son's 60mm macro!

Chicory

“Blue thou art, intensely blue; Flower, whence came thy dazzling hue?”  --James Montgomery

Oregano in Bloom

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers...  --Song of Solomon 5:13a

Everlasting...

A bouquet of dried flowers carefully arranged by my sister-in-law with flowers from her wonderful gardens.  Isn't it neat how God designed some things to retain their beauty long after their season has passed?

"Doriath" texture by Max F. Williams

Christmas Symbolism

You know how some people try to find symbolism and meaning in everything? Well, while I may not do that exactly, I did wonder if the Christmas cactus actually had anything to do with Christmas and if it contained any symbolism in relation to Christ.   I don't want to be one of those people who try really hard to make something fit when it doesn't, but then I realized that if Christ is, indeed, the Creator... and I believe He is... then it stands to reason that His creation will reveal things about and have a connection with Him, right?



A Christmas cactus is also known as a holiday cactus, because it generally blooms around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.   It's scientific name is zygocactus, which is Greek meaning 'joined or yoked cactus', because of its segmented 'leaves'.  Whenever I think of words having a Greek name or origin, I always think of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Anyway, if you're familiar with the teachings of Jesus, you might have been reminded of His invitation found in Matthew 11:28-30:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Who couldn't use a little rest, huh?

A Christmas cactus is an epiphyte, another Greek word meaning 'upon plant', because if a segment is broken off, it can grow on another plant, but is not parasitic.   Rather, it is a type of symbiotic relationship called commensalism in which one organism benefits while the other neither benefits, nor is harmed. Jesus invites us to abide in Him in a relationship that promises blessings.

While the Christmas cactus can be propagated through seeds, it is generally propagated using one or more of its segments.  If you know anything about Christianity, you know that it is propagated by spreading the 'seed' of the Good News, also known as the Gospel, but it is most effectively propagated through personal contact and discipleship.   It is only when we are willing to give of ourselves and love one another, as Christ commands, that others can know and come to understand the love of Christ.

So... how's that for symbolism? Do you think it's a stretch? Or could it be a small part of God's revelation to man through His creation?

Morning Thistle

While out walking my daughter's puppy at dawn a couple of days ago, I noticed some thistles along the edge of an open lot.  After making our way back home and grabbing my camera and tripod, I was able to get in a few shots and take advantage of the soft, early morning light before the sun peeked over the mountain tops.

This is a macro of a bull or common thistle, also known as Cirsium vulgare.  I'm not sure, but I think the liquidy and crystallized droplets are either its nectar or pollen. Isn't it cool?  I used my Canon EF 100mm macro lens. I love macro photography!  It's like peeking into a whole new world within God's amazing creation!

I was inspired to add the colored panel and flower name by one of my fellow Flickrites, AlexEdg, who does gorgeous work.

As a Flower of the Field

"As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth."  --Psalm 103:15

Time passes by so quickly, doesn't it?   I captured this image over a month ago while taking a walk up the street with my daughter and her puppy.  Has it really been over a month?

There was another flower I had wanted to capture because of it's unique design and beauty, but alas, when I searched for it this morning, I was surprised to find it had already faded away.  Summer is fading fast, too.

Have you found that when you reach a point in life, you begin to appreciate the many ‘little things’ about it,  that time seems to go into ‘hyperdrive’ and events pass us by in a blur.  But... there are still 24 hours in a day... there are still 365 days in a year.  How does it seem to pass by so quickly and, if it does, where does it go?

Before we know it, snow will be floating down from the sky.  How many times have you said or heard, "Wow, this year has gone by so fast"?  Let's make the most of the rest of the year before it passes by quickly, too.

Rock Hopper and Beach Comber

A few days ago, my daughter and I took her puppy, Sally, to a park, situated next to a brook, and yesterday we took a trip out to the ocean. We've been experiencing some record high temperatures for this time of year, and I didn't want to let this summer pass by without going to the beach.



Because Sally is still in training, she was kept on a retractable leash and had to be untangled a few times.



She liked wading in the shallow parts, but seemed a bit timid about venturing into the deeper, moving water. She loved hopping on the rocks. She was so cute and quite adventurous, sometimes making leaps two or three times her body length!



While exploring the brook further downstream, we discovered this beautiful wildflower. It is Gentiana Andrewsii, also known as "Andrew's Gentian" or "Closed Bottle Gentian" because it never actually opens.



The beach was very crowded yesterday. We were surprised considering most of the schools in our area have begun. But it was a gorgeous day to be on the beach nonetheless.



Doesn't this grouping of rocks standing firmly in the receding waves give you a sense of... strength and tranquility? Our Creator is the Master Artist!



Instead of making our way down to the rock jetty as we usually do, we went in the opposite direction until we came to a 'wall' of rocks and boulders... the perfect place for a 'treasure' hunt.



We found bits of pretty drift wood and a couple of shells, and I came across a tiny red crab. My daughter was actually a little grossed out when I touched it, because... well, it was no longer among the living.



We also came across a sunglasses graveyard or a kind of lost and found. One had a stem missing and another had a bit of dried seaweed hanging on. I found it curious that one of them had an elastic band still attached. Perhaps the high tide absconded with them and then stashed them among the rocks. Speaking of tide, it was coming in fast, so we didn't tarry too long lest we find ourselves in a predicament.



The waves were beautiful but very powerful. Red flags, caution signs, and constant blows on whistles signaled the danger of riptides.



Several people had to be rescued by lifeguards. The woman on the left was rescued after being caught in a riptide. Another group of teenagers was also rescued after daring to go a bit too far despite the shrill warnings.



The 'big guns' were finally called in. Waverunners don't get tired. Wouldn't it be cool to have his job?



Some people were smart enough to heed the warnings and stay closer to shore. You can't see it in the photo, but three or four other people weren't as fortunate to catch the wave like this guy.

Despite the fact that my daughter was developing a sore throat and earache 1-1/2 hours into the trip, which was halfway there, we still had a wonderful time feeling the sand between our toes, cooling off in the salty ocean waves, shopping on the boardwalk, and eating junk food. Isak Dinesen, a Danish author, once said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." I would agree... almost. My daughter is still not feeling well today, so could you offer up a little prayer for her? Thanks...

Little Miss Gracie

These were taken two weeks ago just a few days after my first session with Gracie. I had especially wanted to get a shot of her in one of my husband's wooden bowls.  I found the flower headband at a local health food store that also houses a craft section.  So pretty in pink, and don'tcha just love her smile?

A Lesson in Chinese

James arrived Monday for a week long visit to spend time with his sweetie.  We picked him up at the airport in Manchester, NH then looked for a place to eat.



James wanted Chinese, but the restaurant Tiffany had googled looked a bit 'sketchy', so James pulled out his iPhone to look for another and we ended up at the Beijing Tokyo Restaurant in Concord.



Tiffany ordered a Pad Thai dish, and James ordered Sweet and Sour Chicken. The food was not only beautifully presented, but it tasted scrumptious, too!



I ordered the Seaweed Salad for myself as well as a Pu Pu Platter to share. Our waitress was a very polite, attentive young woman who seemed somewhat unsure of her English. At one point when she brought something, I said, "Xie Xie," pronounced (sheh sheh) which means "Thank you" in Mandarin Chinese. Her face lit up! I'm glad she didn't try to speak to me in Chinese, because I know only a few words and phrases. Wanna know how to say the food is good? It's really easy to remember. My brother-in-law taught me. Just think of a hen house and say, "Hen hao" (hen how). See? Wasn't that easy? (^_~)

Along Came a Spider

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”  --Luke 14:31

While outside photographing some flowers using my 100mm macro lens, I came across an interesting sight.  A tetragnatha pinicola spider appeared to have sensed movement.  It slowly made its way to the center of the flower where a honey bee was gathering pollen.  As both the spider and honey bee drew closer together, the spider carefully stretched out one of its legs, drew it back again, and backed away.  It appeared to have examined its potential prey and counted the costs before attacking.  The bee on the other hand seemed quite undaunted by the spider’s presence or covert probe.  The encounter reminded me of Jesus admonishing a great multitude of followers to count the cost of becoming His disciple (Luke 14:25-35), and just as He used common examples, we, too, should count the cost before venturing into a potential unknown.

Photo Safari

My daughter and I went on a photo safari after hearing from our neighbor that a fawn was recently born nearby. We didn't see any deer, but we had a nice time together walking gingerly through the field and forest.

Happy Resurrection Day

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."  --2 Corinthians 1:5

Snowdrops are said to be symbolic of consolation. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)

Happy Resurrection Day  :)

 

Happy New Year

 

My husband gave me roses for our anniversary... 27 years.  May the coming new year be a time of refreshing for you and your loved ones...

Beneath the Snow

"And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow
your heart dreams of spring."

--Kahlil Gibran

Dried Queen Anne's Lace... a wildflower whose individual flower stems curl inward to keep its precious cargo as the tiny seeds ripen... like a mother protecting her children... or a woman her heart...

Bearing Blossoms and Fruit

He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.  --Isaiah 27:6

 

[Jesus] spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  --Luke 13:6-9

How would you feel if you planted a tree or bush and it never bore any fruit... especially if you had to pay a price for it?  We bought our plum tree, a cherry tree, and two pear trees about four years ago.  Our cherry tree produced a lot of blossoms and cherries this year.  Our pear trees have one miniature-sized pear between the pair of them despite the abundance of spring blossoms, and our plum tree had this one lone purple jewel.  While I don’t fully understand why the other twelve baby plums abandoned the tree early on, and even though the one that remained was slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball, I am grateful it bore fruit again this year.  It gives me hope for the future.

Have I borne any fruit this year?  I think so... although I’m sure I haven’t been as productive as I could’ve or should’ve been.  The Lord is gracious and slow to anger, but I sure hope He doesn’t find it necessary to dig about and ‘dung’ me in order to make me more fruitful.